Letters to the editor: 7/29

Gun lobby wants more Zimmermans

We live in a rational, law-abiding society, yes? Yet "Stand Your Ground" laws, strongly agitated for by the National Rifle Association, are the decree in 22 states, including Florida, allowing the likes of George Zimmerman to interpret the law in his own image.

President Barack Obama's unscripted disarmingly personal reflections on the event called for white folks to try to understand the context of the black experience. Before his presidency he said he'd experienced being followed in stores, as well as people crossing the street to avoid him and locking car doors at his approach. What a life!

Certain right-wing pundits responded crudely and disrespectfully, especially when the president uttered the truism that he could have been Trayvon Martin 35 years ago.

Did Mr. Zimmerman have any regrets or second thoughts? He answered "no" with assurance. This took my breath away. It speaks of a man who is emotionally a vegetable and out of touch. Mr. Zimmerman is a tool whose worldview is that danger lurks everywhere - aka the gun lobby, which wants more George Zimmermans to boost sales.

Sadly, out of necessity, black families universally instruct their growing children what to do if stopped by the police.

What a shameful commentary when a child can be lawfully tracked down and shot in the heart based on his demeanor only.

Yes, prejudice is deeply rooted with its distortions and misperceptions abounding - often beneath our consciousness.

Michael Kulla

Pleasant Valley

Obama claims right to kill Americans

The "Night of the Long Knives" in 1934 is a critical turning point in the history of the Third Reich. In a few days, Hitler destroyed the Brown Shirts (SA), the paramilitary group that had brought him to power. By then, Adolf Hitler was completely in control and needed a more refined group to carry out his empire building. Members of that new group, the SS, murdered the entire leadership of the Brown Shirts.

The extermination of hundreds of Brown Shirts was also a triumph for Hitler. In a speech to the Reichstag, he declared himself "the supreme judge of the German people," with the sole right to decide life or death for all its citizens. In this way, he made himself not only above the law by his power, but also by the law itself. The long history of jurisprudence opposing extrajudicial killings was set aside. In 1942, Hitler formally accepted the title of "supreme judge of the German people."

Which leads us to the self-appointed supreme judge of the American people, President Barack Obama. By claiming the legal right to murder any American citizen he chooses, our president puts an end to our brave experiment in democracy in favor of the new American Empire.

Sixty million lives would have been saved if Hitler had been taken to jail after the Night of the Long Knives. How many millions could we save by putting our president in jail and restoring our democratic rights?

Fred Nagel

Rhinebeck

Feds keep U.S. tied to OPEC oil imports

I do recall when getting a fill-up at the gas pump cost about $3. I also recall the oil embargoes of the 1970s. At that time, it became clear how dependent we are on imported oil and how oil is the lifeblood of our country.

Ever since, we have been twisting in the wind at the mercy of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC is wallowing in U.S. dollars as we deal with ever-increasing oil prices that affect all that we buy.

I recall all the talk back then about getting away from fossil fuels and developing new sources of energy. It sounded great.

Here we are more than 30 years later, but how are we doing? Some progress in green energy, but not nearly enough to supply our requirements. The technology is not yet there.

What has really changed is our ability to access our own oil, natural gas and even using our coal resources in a much environmentally cleaner way.

Good news, right?

It should be, but not so much as it seems our government is blocking use of our own resources. Any energy gains are in spite of our government.

The feds (Environmental Protection Agency) are actively fighting any increased use of our own oil or gas while closing down our coal industry.

Think about that when you fill your tank - if you can afford it - or pay your heating or electric bill, or buy anything. Current green energy policies are smothering our economy.

Also, think jobs and Keystone! Insane.

Rich Rizzo

Hyde Park

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Letters to the editor: 7/29

We live in a rational, law-abiding society, yes? Yet 'Stand Your Ground' laws, strongly agitated for by the National Rifle Association, are the decree in 22 states, including Florida, allowing the